Educator

Balancing Redox Reactions, Half Reactions

• Oxidation is loss of electrons; reduction is gain of electrons

• Rules for assigning ox. nos. include: elements = 0; H = +1; O = -2; sum of all ox.nos. = charge on species

• Half-reactions are either ox. or red. Will include electrons as reagents – red. half-reaction – or products – ox. half-reaction

• Add appropriate numbers of ox. and red. half reactions to cancel electrons and get whole reaction

• In acid solution use H⁺ to remove O

• In basic solution use H₂O to remove O and make OH^-